182 Writing for the TOEFL i8T
Paragraph 4: Main idea
‘Teachers bring their own knowledge and understanding of the topic to the lesson Supporting details
= Abook presents you with certain information, and the teacher can add more — The teacher might also have a different point of view from the book and can
provide other sources of information and ideas, as well
Fluency and Cohesion Revision Checklist CONTENT Thesis Statement Main ideas Supporting details ies Grammar and Spelling Sentence variety
V CHECK FOR TRANSITION WORDS ‘This essay uses appropriate transition words However Shows contrast In short ‘Summarizes
For example Clarifies a point
an the other hand Demonstrates difference
ako Adds information
Trang 2CONTENT Thesis Statement Main ideas Supporting details ‘Transition words Sentence variety
Vv CHECK FOR GRAMMAR AND SPELLING
There are no grammar or spelling errors in this essay Revision Checklis CONTENT Thesis Statement Main ideas 5 F ‘Transition words Grammar and aa
wv CHECK FOR SENTENCE VARIETY
Trang 3184 Writing for the TOEFL i8T
“Teachers help you find the way that you learn best
‘Complex sentence Paragraph 2 | Teaches can help students learn in the way that is best for each
student, because teachers under- stand that different people have different learning styles
Simple sentence Paragraph 2 ‘Others learn more by writing
about it
‘Noun clause Paragraph 3 Teachers help you focus on
what you are learning
‘Compound sentence | Paragraph 4 ‘A book presents you with
certain information, and the teacher can add more
Essay Topic 22
We all work, or will work, in jobs with many different kinds of people In your opinion, what are some important characteristics of a co-worker (someone you work closely with)? Use reasons and specific examples to explain why these char- acteristics are important
die ,| Ive worked in several offices, and I've found there are certain charac- teristics that all good co-workers have in common They tend to be coop-
‘main ideas | ative people, they adapt well to changes, and they are helpful to others
inthe office People who have these characteristics are easy to work with
‘Agood co-worker is very cooperative She does her best to get along
with others She tries to do her work well because she knows that if one person doesn't get her work done, it affects everyone else She also has a positive attitude that creates a pleasant working environment
‘A good co-worker is adaptable She is not stubborn about changes in schedules or routines She doesn't object to having her job descrip- tion revised She has no problem with new procedures In fact, she welcomes changes when they come
A good co-worker is helpful For instance, she lends a hand when
someone falls behind in his or her work She is willing to change her schedule to accommodate another worker's emergency She doesn't keep track of how often she has to take on extra work
We spend more time with our co-workers during the week than we do
Trang 4Content ‘Main ideas ‘Supporting details FLUENCY AND COHESION “Transition words Grammar and Spelling Sentence variety
WV CHECK FOR THESIS STATEMENT
‘The task asks the writer to describe something In the first paragraph, the writer lets us know what will be described
Task: Describe something
‘Thesis: there are certain characteristics that all good co-workers have in common Revision Checklist CONTENT _ ‘Thesis Statement 7 | Main ideas Supporting details FLUENCY AND COHESION ‘Transition words Grammar and Spelling Sentence variety
WV CHECK FOR MAIN IDEAS
The first paragraph mentions three topics that support the thesis, These will become the main ideas of the paragraphs in the body of the essay
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Paragraph 1, Sentence 2 cooperative
Paragraph 1, Sentence 2 adapt well to changes Paragraph 1, Sentence 2 helpful Revision Checklist | CONTENT Thesis Statement Main ideas “Supporting details FLUENCY AND COHESION ‘Transition words Grammar and Spelling ‘Sentence variety
V CHECK FOR SUPPORTING DETAILS
The paragraphs have topic sentences and supporting details In the body of the essay, the topic sentences of the paragraphs match the topics introduced in the first
paragraph
Paragraph 2: Main idea
A good co-worker is very cooperative Supporting details
~ She does her best to get along with others
~ She tries to do her work well because she knows that if one person doesn’t get her work done, it affects everyone else
~ She also has a positive attitude that creates a pleasant working environment
Paragraph 3: Main idea
A good co-worker is adaptable Supporting details
— She is nor stubborn about changes is schedules or routines = She doesn’t object to having her job description revised — She has no problem with new procedures
Trang 6Paragraph 4: Main idea A good co-worker is helpful Supporting details
~ For instance, she lends a hand when someone falls behind in his or her work — She is willing to change her schedule to accommodate another worker's emergency = She doesnt keep track of how often she has to take on extra work Fluency and Cohesion Grammar and § Sentence variety
v CHECK FOR TRANSITION WORDS
‘This essay uses appropriate transition words
alo ‘Adds information
In fact ‘Adds emphasis
For instance Clarifies a point
Trang 7188 Writing for the TOEFL iBT Revision Checklist CONTENT Thesis Statement Main ideas Supporting details FLUENCY AND COHESION ‘Transition words W | Grammar and Spelling Sentence variety
Vv CHECK FOR GI ;RAMMAR AND SPELLING
‘There are no grammar or spelling errors in this essay Revision Checklis CONTENT ‘Thesis Statement Main ideas Supporting details FLUENCY AND COHESION - ‘Transition words Grammar and Spelling v CHECK FOR SENTENCE VARIETY This essay uses a variety of sentence structures
Series Paragraph 1 They tend to be cooperative
people, they adapt well to changes,
and they are helpful
to others in the office
Adjective clause Paragraph 1 People who have these characteris-
tics are easy to work with,
Complex sentence Paragraph 2 She tries to do her work well
because she knows that if one
person doesn’t get her work done,
it affects everyone else
Trang 8Saas Se PRACTICE Attra See
Complete each essay by answering the questions that follow
Topic 68
Many teachers assign homework to students every day: Do you think that daily homework is necessary for students? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer
@ Students already spend most of the day in school They need time to spend with their families, to work, and to just relax They can learn their lessons with homework two or three times a week, but every day isn't necessary
Qs They are still young, and they need the guidance and support their parents can give them They need the companionship of their brothers and sisters @) ‘many families rely on their older children to help out at home They take care of the younger chil- dren and help with the cooking and cleaning If students have too
much homework, the won't have time for their families
Many high school students have jobs They go to their jobs after school and on weekends Some work in order to help their families
@ Students’ jobs are important to
them, If they have too much homework, they won't have time and energy to go to work
Students need time to relax They study hard in school all day, and many work at jobs after school, But they are still young They need to spend time with their friends and have fun When students relax with friends, they then have more energy for school and work
() Having free time is important
for a child’s development If students have too much homework, they won't have time for relaxation
Homework is important for students, but other things are impor-
tant, too Some homework is good, but daily homework can take time away from a student's family, job, and relaxation There needs to be a balance
1 Choose the best thesis statement (A) Teachers often assign homework
(B) I believe that daily homework is not necessary
(©) Homework may involve solving math problems or writing essays 2 Choose the best main idea for this paragraph
(A) All students need to spend time with their families (B) Many students have to work
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3 Choose the best transition word for this sentence (A) For example
(B) Although (© Inaddition
4, Choose the missing supporting detail (A) Others work to save money for college (B) Others spend time relaxing with friends (©) Others do homework all evening 5 Choose the missing supporting detail
(A) They should spend their energy getting a job (B) They never have time for their families
(©) They have a chance to develop social skills or to pursue their own interests
Topic 58
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Businesses should do any- thing they can to make a profit Use specific reasons and examples to support your position
‘After I get my degree, I plan to start a business My goal is to
make money, a lot of money (6)
I must consider (7) — „ the customers Ï serve, and the community I live in
My colleagues are a very important part of my business Without them, I would not have a business I depend on them to carry out the day-to-day operations I depend on them for their advice on what to sell and how to sell it, I must compensate them for their work I cant take a large profit without sharing with the people who made it possible
@) I would not have a business without
my customers I can never forget that they could take their business elsewhere I must give them good value for their money I can't over- charge them (9)
My employees and I‘are part ofthe social life of our community We must play an active part init (10) ‘We need to support community programs like summer jobs for high school students, campaigns to clean up parks, and efforts to make the shopping area more attractive
Trang 106 Choose the best thesis statement
(A) To clarify, making a profit means earning money rather than losing it (B) In fact, earning a profit is the most important aspect of a business (©) However, I cant forget that there are more important things in life than
earning a profit
7 Choose the missing topic that supports the thesis (A) the money I earn
(B) the people I work with
(©) the product or service I provide
8 Choose the best transition word for this sentence (A) Therefore
(B) Similarly (©) Otherwise
9 Choose the missing supporting detail
(A) Lwant my customers to trust me and keep coming back (B) If some customers leave, I can always find others
(© I should earn as much profit from my customers as possible
10 Choose the missing supporting detail
(A) Taking part in community activities is an enjoyable way to spend free time (B) If I am active in the community, I will get more customers and earn
higher profits
(© I feel it is important that some of the profits my business earns from the community be returned to the community
Topic 9
Some people prefer to live in a small town Others prefer to live in a big city Which place would you prefer to live in? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer
I grew up in a small town and then moved to a big city I didnt think I would like living here, but I was wrong
ay ~ Transportation is much more
convenient, everything is more exciting, and there is a greater variety of people I can’t imagine ever living in a small town again
‘Transportation is easier in a city In a small town, you have to
have a car to get around because there isn’t any kind of public trans- portation In a city, (12) there are usually buses and taxis, and some cities have subways Cities often have heavy traffic and expensive parking, but it doesn’t matter because you can always take the bus Using public transportation is usually cheaper and more convenient than driving a car, (13)
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City life is more exciting than small town life In small towns usually nothing changes You see the same people every day, you go to the same two or three restaurants, everything is the same "4 - You see new people every day There are many restaurants, with new ones to choose from all the time New plays come to the theaters, and new musicians come to the concert halls
(15), There are many
fewer people in a small town, and usually they are all alike In a city you can find people from different countries, of different religions, of different races—you can find all kinds of people This variety of people is what makes city life interesting
Life in a city is convenient, exciting, and interesting, After expe- riencing city life, I could never live in a small town again
Choose the best thesis statement
(A) I think life is much better in a big city (B) However, I still prefer living in a small town
(©) Big cities are busy and noisy, while small towns are quiet and peaceful
Choose the best transition word for this sentence
(A) consequently
(B) for example (© on the other hand
Choose the best transition word for this sentence
(A) but (B) also
(©) so
Choose the missing supporting detail (A) In a city life can be very confusing (B) Ina city, chings change all the time (C) Ina city, most people follow a routine
Choose the best main idea for this paragraph
(A) Cities have many of the same types of people that you can find in a small town
(B) Cities have a larger population than small rowns do
Trang 12Topic 77
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Boys and girls should attend separate schools Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer
(16) They will not be separated when
they finish school and start their careers, so why should they be sep- arated in school? When boys and girls study together, they are assured of getting equal quality of education, (17), and they learn how to become friends It is a much better prepara tion for life chan studying in separate schools
‘When boys and girls attend the same school, they get equal edu- cation, They are in the same classrooms with the same teachers studying from the same books (18)
One school might be better than the other By studying together, girls get the same education as boys This helps them work toward having equality in society
By attending the same schools, boys and girls learn how to work together Some people say that they should study separately because they have different learning styles I think it’s better to study
together, (19) Te gives them the chance
to learn to work together despite their differences This will help them in the future when they have to work together professionally When boys and girls se each other in school every day, they have the chance to become friends (20)
If they attend separate schools, they don't know each other Its easy to misunderstand, or even fear, each other When boys and girls have the chance to become friends, their lives are much richer They will have better relationships in the future
By studying together, boys and girls get equal education, they learn to work together, and they become friends This prepares them for adult life where men and women live and work together every
day
16 Choose the best thesis statement,
(A) L agree that education is as important for girls as it is for boys
(B) I don’t think it’s a good idea for boys and girls to attend separate schools
(©) In many countries, boys and girls attend separate schools
17 Choose the missing topic that supports the thesis (A) they learn how to work together
(B) they attend the same school
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19
20
Choose the missing supporting detail
(A) IF they attend separate schools, they could still study the same subjects (B) If they attend separate schools, they will learn more
(© Kthey attend separate schools, the schools might be different
Choose the best transition word for this sentence
(A) however
(B) for instance
(C) moreover
Choose the missing supporting detail (A) Children should have a lot of friends
(B) They see each other as normal people, not as strangers (©) Friends can help each other with their schoolwork
Trang 14Topic 20
Itis better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay
Yes, | think so When children grow up in the countryside, they have a healthier life They also have a safer life Children also learn to appre-
ciate nature when they grow up in the countryside
Life in the countryside is healthier for children than life in the city Drinking water in the city is usually dirty In the countryside, on the other hand, the drinking water are clean and pure
‘They don't have to worry about crime because there are fewer crim-
inals in the countryside than in the city They don't have to worry about
traffic accidents, either, because there are fewer cars in the country- side Furthermore, they don't have to worry about strangers who might hurt them because in the countryside almost everybody knows every- body else
Life in the countryside help children appreciate nature There are
few plants in the city In the countryside, for instance, children see trees
and flowers around them all the time They also have opportunities to see wild animals, while in the city they can only see animals in zoos in addition, they know where there food comes from In the countryside children are surrounded by farms, but in the city they only see fruits and vegetables in the grocery stores